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1946 Map of Sterling

Name: 1946 Topographic Map of Sterling
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1946
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1946

About this map

Lake Waushacum and its neighboring ponds anchor the central landscape of this 1946 study, which documents the rural character and expanding infrastructure of central Massachusetts just after the war. The map highlights the complex water systems of the region, including the Quabbin Aqueduct with several shafts such as Shaft 1 and Shaft 2, indicating the importance of regional water management for the growing population. Settlement patterns are concentrated around hubs like Sterling Junction and Oakdale, while the Boston and Maine RR provides the primary industrial artery through the valleys.

Local institutions and communal spaces are meticulously recorded, from the Worcester County Training School near the Thomas Basin to the local Infirmary on the outskirts of Sterling. Genealogists will find value in the precise locations of family-associated sites and burial grounds like West Sterling Cem and Legge Cem. The terrain is defined by numerous named peaks, including Justice Hill and Kendall Hill, which shaped the winding routes of roads like Redemption Rock Road.